"My Lords, I too wish the Minister a happy birthday. In welcoming the increase in defence spending, I am sure he will acknowledge that diplomacy goes hand in glove with our ability to deliver on our defence and trade priorities. My former department has suffered the largest reductions, of over …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, I draw attention to my entry in the register of interests. I listened very carefully to my noble friend Lord Pickles, and I would say that there are plans, and there are people in Israel and in the Palestinian Authority—people in all communities—who want peace and want it …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, does the Minister agree that one of the main reasons that the UN was successful in its early years was its role in intervening on conflict prevention and then peace accords? It is a tragic consequence of the modern age that, when we look around the world today, …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, may I perhaps inform the Minister? He is, of course, right that the previous Government engaged on this in good faith to try to seek a resolution. The reason why it could not be agreed, as has been said before in your Lordships’ House, was the principal issue …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, I draw attention to my entry in the register of interests. I actually agree with the Minister on the importance of FTAs. Can she confirm that the Government will continue to focus on the strategic dialogues that the previous Government initiated, where human rights were a key pillar …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"I, too, join the tributes to the right reverend Prelate for his work and welcome the Government’s announcement of a special envoy, which was reported through various committees. It is essential that that be done. The President of the United States has said publicly that he, too, will raise the …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, I draw attention to my entry in the register. I think the final sentiments just expressed by the Minister reflect where we are across the House on this emotive and human issue. There are practical steps that the United Kingdom Government can take. First, since last September I …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, I draw attention to my interests in the register. Conferences themselves will not solve the issue. People are dying in Gaza and hostages continue to be held. The Government in which I served had direct engagement on the ground and the Minister knows that we used every lever, …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, I declare an interest as someone who has heritage from India and Pakistan. I always joke on what is a serious issue that, with my wife’s heritage from Pakistan and mine predominantly from India, we have made it work, so I am sure that the two countries can …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, in welcoming the statement from the Minister and the efforts made by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, what is needed? We are talking about two nuclear powers that are possibly on the brink of not just escalation—let us not mince words—but a real risk of war. …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech